Power plawn mower



June 23, 1959 o. MusGRAvE 2,891,370

POWER LAWN MowER Filed Aug. 16, 1954 15v Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR. ISB

BY ORLY MUSGRAVE ATTORNEY June 23, 1959 o. MUsGRAvE 2,891,370

POWER LAWN MOWER I Filed Auz. 16. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 :1w/mm1;

ORLY MusGRAvE BY Taming;

ATTORNEY June 23, 1959 o. MUSGRAVE POWER LAWN MowER 3 Sheets-Shea?l 3Filled Aug. 16, 1954 v ism 4 Q. Q ww m Q. t. me y \A .N, N Q. 1, Mv f m:wm f@ m ..5 no. ,mv c s w .mm

INVENTOR. ORLY MUSGRAVE ATTORNEY POWER LAWN MOWER rly Musgrave,Springfield, Ohio Application August 16, 1954, Serial No. 450,141

4 Claims. (Cl. 5625.4)

I This invention relates generally to power driven, rider- -controlledgrounds tending equipment and more specically to power lawn mowers inwhich substantially all of the driving mechanism is protected byenclosing means atop which a seat is provided for the operator of themower.

mission mechanism, and other operating gear which it is desired tomaintain as cool running as possible by dissipating the heat oftherengine freely to the atmosphere. The proximity of the rider to thissource of heat and to the operating mechanism contribute to riderdiscomfort.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a rider-controlledpowered lawn mower in which discomfiture to an operator occasioned byproximity to heat and operating equipment of the mower is substantiallycompletely avoided.

It is an important object of the invention to provide a rider-controlledpoweridriven grounds tending vehicle in which a hood substantiallycompletely encloses the power means and transmission equipment of thevehicle and protects the equipment from the dust and cuttings usuallyassociated with the operation while at the same time affording the ridercomfort and complete protection from contact with the operatingmechanism.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a rider-controlledpower driven lawn mower in which driving `wheel means are protected andarranged to afford a mower of improved stability.

f Another object of the invention is the provision in a rider-controlledpower driven lawn mower of novel transmission mechanism. y v

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is al perspective view of a rider-controlled power driven lawnmower incorporating the features of this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view, with the hood in phantom, illustratingthe arrangement of the components in a preferred embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the mower of Figure 1;

Figure 4 isa view partially in section, and enlarged,

I of a portion of the structure of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional'view illustrative particularly of nited StatesPatent Figure 6 is an enlarged bottom View of the structure of Figures 1and 2 partially in section;

Figure 7 is a sectional View in elevation of the structure of Figure ltaken on line 7-7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a detail view in section of a portion of the structure ofFigure 7 taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken online 9 9 of Figure 6; and

Figure l() is a perspective View, enlarged, of a portion of thestructure of Figure 9.

Referring to the drawings and initially particularly to Figures l-3 and6 there is shown generally at 1 a ridercontrolled power driven lawnmower; the mower is provided With a tubular frame 3, forward groundwheels 5, and rearward driving ground wheels 7 which support the framein close proximity to the ground. A oor plate 9 is provided with asuitably bolted bottom 10 (Figure 7), and has foot-receiving wings 11 tobe described more particularly hereinafter; oor plate 9 is suitablywelded to the frame 3 and supports the power means and control mechanismof the mower.

Forwardly of the mower steering handle means 13 extend from a steeringpost 15 which is operably connected with the wheels 5 for controllingthe direction of movement of the wheel and mower. A hood 17, of asubstantially dust impermeable material such as Ymetal or resinimpregnated glass bers, apertured to receive steering post 15therethrough extends rearwardly over the power means, control mechanismand rear wheels and is supported by the frame for pivotal movementto'expose the plate 9 as generally indicated at 19 (Figure 2). This hoodis provided forwardly with a grille 21 (Figure 3) and rearwardly at 23(Figures l and 2) with an opening for the flow of air longitudinally ofthe mower over the power means and control mechanism. The hood taperstoa maximum width at 22 and provides for comfortable receipt of the legsof a rider.

A seat 25 is within easy reach of handle means 13 (Figure l), a controlknob at 27 and a starter 29 for the power means which is a gasolineVengine positioned at the forward edge of plate adjacent grille 21 andindicated at 31 (Figure 2); the hood17 is suitably apertured to receivetherethrough the knob and starter and also the cooling air inlet 33 ofthe engine and the top 35 of the gasoline supply'tank 37. The aperture34 for the cooling air inlet is most suitably large enough to be spacedslightly out of contact with the metal of the engine as a downward draftabout the engine is thus created. Longitudinally extending air scoopsare provided in the hood laterally at 26, 28 and thus a constant ow ofair longitudinally is well provided for.

Referring now particularly to Figures 2, 6 and 7 the iloor plate 9 issecured to and supports the engine 31 and theV exhaust conduit 39 of theengine passes through (Figure.2) the plate 9 and bottom 10 and exhaustsburned gases rearwardly beneath the bottom. This effectively removes theheat and fumes from a driver on the seat, contributes to a cool spacingbeneath thehood and further the rearwardly owing exhaust gases tend tourge the grass which is to be cut into the blades in an upstandingposition.

Between the engine and the gasoline supply tank'37 and supported fromplate 9 is a shield 41 of insulating `material; the usual gasolinesupply connection between the engine and tank (not shown) may suitablypass over or through this shield.

The driving shaft 43 of the engine passes vertically through the floorplate 9 and bottom 10 and carries (Figure 6) on its lower end two V-beltpulleys 45 and 47 which are in the enclosure formed by the oor plate andbottom. Pulley 45 is of the langer diameter Aand is opspindle.

Pulley 51 is shouldered at 52 and the shoulder portion receives a setscrew 54 to the spindle and is carried on the spindle 55 which passesthrough an aperture ofbottom 10 and is provided with a cutting blade`673 securely retained in position by washer andnutj. The spacerelements provide for adjustment of' bladejgheight.

:Spindle-57 is oppositely disposed tonspindlei, is simi- Ular-lysupported hand 'itself similarly supports cutting -blade .69'.

The `blades 63: and y69 may-be easily ,mounted and Ade-mounted andthe'blade shape chosen with vthe nature of-the material to be cut.AFurtherthe two" blades which are-each suitably 12 long require lesspower than one 24"-blade and accordingly `less heat need be developed byan engine powering the same.

Plate 9 (Figure 8) also supports idler pulley^71 which --isrotatablycarried on a xed shaft'72 retained on an apertured piece-73 slidableybeneath the plate 9 in guide 74 and lockable-to the plate in adjustedposition by nut 7S. Thusthe tightness of belt 49is controllable.

A second idler pulley 76 also bears` lagainst -belt 49 .when-the -moweris in operation. vThis pulley is carried on an arm 77 which is welded toa rotatable shaft 78 supported by a sleeve bearing unit 79 welded toplate 9.

Shaft 78 also mounts a bell crank 81 the inner arm v83 of which-extendsbelow plate 9 and mounts idler pulley 85 which pulley in the-operativecondition engages a drive v.belt-87 and tightens the-same fortransmission of power to pulley 89 carried on shaft 91 of gear box 93(Figures 2 and 7). Normally spring -94 secured to plate 9 biases thebell crank to an ,inoperative position.

The other-and outer amr-95- of bell crank y81 iS S11itably coupledadjustably at-97- toan arm 99'- ixedly carried -between ears-fwhich(Figure7) arerockably supported on shaft-101- vwhichcjitrries the footpedal 103.

lThe ears are-secured to plate 9 by a bolted angle piece 195 (Figure 2).

Stepping -on 4pedal 1-03 causes ears 100 and arm 99 -to --rock-leftwardly (Figure -7) carrying with it arm 95 and causing-thebell-crank to pivot at shaft 78. 'The `inner-arm which (Figure 2) passesdownwardly through v4plate-9 then moves idler pulley 76 into contactwith belt .S7 to lthus cause-actuation of shaft- 91 of the gear box L93.Thus rnovement of pedal 103 simultaneously drives the mower and themower blades.

Power -is --transmitted through gear box- 93 to the f rearwheels -7,-the arrangement of which will now be de- .;scribed,-referringAparticularly to Figure 5. -Thetubular -fra-me -S-has-Welded theretohousings 107 which-support -rigidly-at--pins108 -a-transverse rod-109.Sleeve-bearings 111-1 engage -the-rod-at-either end and rotatably carrysleeved-13 -which supports-.the castings-115 ofthe wheels. The-wheelsare themselvesf formed in -two sections indicated at A,`B--and boltedtogether as at 117. The .wheels are in side by side relation with theirtreads -1-19 spaced slightly apart.

-Sprocket 121 is welded to the casing of-one of the --wheels and (Figure6) receives a chain 123 which also passes-.over a sprocket 125 on-shaft127 of the gear box 93.

-The closely spaced-relation of therear driving wheels #7, onyeither-side ofthe-center -line of-the mower, provides improvedstabilityinthe mower and eliminates-the y.necessity `for -a fdiiferential. 'Thearrangement permits ease ofgturning and no-undue wear occurs.

-on which-a body indicatedgenerally at is-slidably mounted but isnon-rotatable with respect to the shaft 127. The body 130 comprises discportions 131 and 133, each of which are provided with lugs. Shafting 127is itself rotatably mounted in bearings and 137 supported by the casingof the gear box. Also loosely mounted on shaft 127 are spaced bevelgears 139, 141, each of whichare,hollow and the hollows of which areprovided with cross pieces'143, 145, respectively, for engagement withthe lugspf the, discs.

The bevel gears 139,141are engaged by bevel gear 147 carried on shaft191 and VVwhen shaft-91 isJrotated through pulley .89-each4of-,theugears139, 141 rotates loosely on the shaft. By moving the disc 131 intoengagement with gear 139 movement of the mower 1s effected in a forwarddirection; When the lug of disc portion 133 ismoved rightwardly (Figure9) reversal of d1- rection -isetectedffWhen-neither'lug-isengaged themower is in--neu-tralv and-'the gearsf139,1-141; are -loose on vthe-shaft.

133 rigidly at'149, 151 (Figure 7).

Gear box 93--is--itself filled with oilv and spaced `Well fromthe-engine to -minimize -heat effects.

Referring now-to Figure 6 the-frame 31forwardly has a -rigid `cross-bar-153welded between the: longitudinal arms Ithereof (Figure 6) .andtheends ofl the-cross-bar provide-vertically extending (tubular-membersv155, 1157 which receive -pintles- 159, 161, respectively. The pintles-are-each secured between the-horizontallyiextending arms of a fork,theforks .being indicated Vat 163, (Figures 3--and -6) and the vertical`portions of the :forks rece1ve -the --shafts 167, -169- ofv the Wheels15.

Steering post 15 is rotatably mounted through a collar 167 welded tocross-bar 153 and connected by .linkage (not shown)- to tie rods at169,171and at-173,'175 .-to effect steering movement of the wheels. A

'Forwardly housing 17 is recessed substantially `vertlcally on opposedsides and is removablysecured-over cross-bar 153. A latch 177 (Figure1)removably laiiixes theehousingto a tubular portion of- -framez 3.

VVRearwardly-the housing is,pivotalwith respect to the frame-3. For thispurpose frame-3 (Figure 2) is provided vwith-tubular portions 179,481,183 which termi- -natecentrally in a-nipple` 185 adapted.to-receive'downwardly-projecting portion 187-of=seat 25. A set screw189 passing through-the--nipple isadapted. to-retain the seat`imposition. flThissea-t is-removed toeffect pivotal movement of hood17.

VReferring `now to Figure-4 wherein one side lof the pivotal arrangementis shown-.the tubular member 3 -adjacentthe-rear bend thereof isthreadedand ,has welded thereto `ametalspacer 1191 `which -is also-threaded. VA screw 193 passes through the spacerV-andtube-in threadedYengagenten@ andis retained suitably by washer 195, lock nut 197andnutjrl99f. `Merely loosening, v latch 177 and raising the hoodpermits pivot movement on the shoulder 201 of the lspaerand -the wholeAiriterioreis exposed for examination. To accommodate the pivotingsteering post 15 tapers rearwardly along the line of pivot.

yIn practice engine 31 is most suitably of'ZVzLB horsepower and underthe most difficult ofcutting conditions the mower will providecomfortable riding. -To-facilitate foot comfort wing portions` 11 taperupwardly forwardly andthe dualrear -Wheel arrangement provides -suchbalance even load conditions on rough terrain at an-angle of 30 to thehorizontal that no discomfort results to an operator.

It is necessary-only for eicient--operationthat-.a-suitable '-v-owofair- -to --the eng-ine and tothe coolant vents or ns ofanengine-beprovided-toinhibit undue-heating of the engine, bearings,gear box and such; the amount of air flow necessary -is of coursevariable depending upon operating conditions such as the airtemperature, the power developed by the engine and so forth. Theapparatus `of Figure 1 is more than adequate for usual operating:conditions the provision of the aperture 34 at air inlet 33 where theengine air .inlet 33 is out of contact with the hood being particularlye'icient as'the air traveling over the skin of the hood swoops readilyto the inside and on through to the rear of the vehicle.

The mower is operable in forward and reverse directions and thearrangement of hood and wheels effectively inhibit the entry of cutmaterial to the chain in the reverse direction of operation. This isparticularly important as fouling of driving mechanism in lawn mowers isa serious factor, normally resulting in stalling of the equipment.

The dual rear wheel arrangement is itself beneficial in two importantrespects whether or not the hood is employed. First the utilization ofthe dual wheel permits the chain transmitting the power to the Wheels-to lie in the exact longitudinal `center line of the equipment--thisfacilitates turning of the mower for when the chain is off the centerline to the left the forward right hand steering wheel tends to belifted when a right hand turn is made. Also the right hand wheel tendsto be lifted when a turn is made to the left as the left hand wheeltends to dig into the ground. The same effect, in reverse, occurs if thechain is olf to the right of center the left hand wheel then tending tolift. This effect increases with the lateral distance of the chain fromthe center line.

Secondly with two closely spaced rear wheels the tendency to rock andfor la wheel to lift on unlevel ground is substantially obviated.

The wheels are themselves protected (Figure 7) from lentry of cutmaterial thereto by the depending portion of oor plate 9 which extendstoward these rear wheels.

The transmission mechanism for controlling the forward and reversemovements is particularly adaptable for mower use, economical, free ofmechanism which would require frequent repair, and eliminates the needfor a differential mechanism. Most important is the compactness aordedby the bevel gears and the webs in the hollow thereof. Such compactnessis essential to permit the box to be mounted appropriately within therelatively narrow frame width common to riding type mowers.

It will be understood that this invention Iis susceptible tomodification in order to adopt it to diterent usages and conditions andaccordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modications within thisinvention as may fall within the scope `of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In rider-controlled power driven grounds tending equipment thestructure comprising a frame assembly including a bottom plate, forwardand rearward wheel means supporting the frame in proximity to theground, an aircooled gasoline engine supported forwardly on the assemblyand having a power shaft thereof extending downwardly towards saidbottom plate, said engine having an exhaust conduit, power transmissionmeans mounted on the assembly above the bottom plate and operablyconnected with the power shaft of the engine, gear box means mountedrearwardly on the assembly above the bottom plate and having a shaftthereof operably connected to the power transmission means to be driventhereby, means connecting the gear box means with the rearward wheelmeans for driving of the wheel means, and a hood extending over therearward wheel means forwardly over the gear box means and theair-cooled engine and substantially enclosing said bottom plate toprotect said gear box means and engine from dust.

2. In a differential-less rider-controlled power driven lawn mowerhaving rotary cutting blade means a frame in supporting relation withthe cutting blade means, steering wheels supporting the frame forwardlyand spaced well apart on either side of a longitudinal center line ofthe mower, power means including an air-cooled gasoline enginesupportedby the frame, power transmission means coupled to the power means andalso supported by the frame, the'frame having a narrowed rearwardportion comprising parallel arms, and means supporting the parallelarms, said 'means including an axle secured between the armsytransversely of the mower, a pair of wheels rotatably mounted on theaxle and spaced apart and closely adjacent on either side of thelongitudinal center line of the mower and positioned between the arms,the said power transmission means being coupled to the rear wheelstherebetween, and a seat on the frame above forwardly of the center ofthe wheels, and a protector in the form of a hood extendinglongitudinally over the frame below the seat in proximity to the closelyadjacent wheels and supported by the narrowed portion of the frame.

3. In a rider-controlled power driven grounds tending vehicle, a framehaving a iioor plate and a bottom plate carried by and beneath the oorplate defining a vertically extending spacing with the oor plate, thespacing being enclosed and substantially protected from the entry ofdust thereto by the oor and bottom plate, forward and rearward wheelmeans supporting the frame including the bottom plate in close proximityto the ground, an aircooled gas engine on the floor plate adjacent theforward wheel means, gear box means on the floor plate adjacent therearward wheel means, transmission means in the spacing, said enginehaving a power shaft extending through the floor plate into the spacingand said gear box means also having a shaft thereof extending into thespacing through the lioor plate, the said shafts being operablyconnected through the transmission means, means connecting the gear boxand rearward wheel means for driving the rearward means from the enginethrough the transmission and gear box means, a hood extending the lengthof and beyond the oor plate over the engine and gear box means and overthe rearward wheel means to inhibit the entry of dust to the floorplate, said hood having an opening in the top thereof for the passage ofair into the engine, and said hood having vent means both forwardly ofthe engine and rearwardly of the rearward wheel means for passage of airlongitudinally of the vehicle over the engine iioor plate gear boxbeyond the rearward wheel means.

4. In rider-controlled power driven lawn tending equipment, thestructure comprising a frame assembly including a frame having a bottomplate, forward and rearward wheel means supporting the frame inproximity to the ground, an ai-r-cooled gasoline engine supportedforwardly on the frame assembly and having a power shaft thereofextending downwardly towards said bottom plate, said engine having anexhaust conduit, power transmission means mounted on the assembly abovethe bottom plate and operably connected with the power shaft of theengine, gear box means mounted rearwardly on the assembly above thebottom plate and having a shaft thereof operably connected to the powertransmission means to be driven thereby, means connecting the gear boxmeans with the rearward wheel means for driving of the wheel means, andhood means extending at least partially over said engine and having anopening forward thereof for the liow of air longitudinally of thestructure over said gas engine, and said hood being open rearwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS778,455 Lewis Dec. 27, 1904 1,511,873 Davison Oct. 14, 1924 2,192,468Gore Mar. 5, 1940 2,207,447 Viles et al. July 9, 1940 (Other referenceson following page)

